Grande Anello dei Borghi Ascolani Stage 1: Ascoli Piceno to Venarotta

The route of Grande Anello dei Borghi Ascolani Stage 1

From Piazza del Popolo the route heads north and crosses Piazza Ventidio Basso, site of the old city market. It then crosses the Tronto river on the Roman bridge from the Augustan age. From the square by the municipal cemetery it follows Via San Serafino da Montegranaro, between the Caprignano and Casamurana districts, to the village of Mozzano.

From the first houses of Mozzano a grassy path climbs to the old castle village. Sections of the fortifications are still visible here. The path continues over the hill and leads to the small church of Sant'Emidio di Tronzano, surrounded by woodland.

Further on the route crosses the settlements of Casacagnano and Ponte Nativo, hamlets of Roccafluvione. Ponte Nativo lies on the banks of the Fluvione. After passing it the route reaches the Convento di San Francesco, the end of the stage. In some sections the landscape offers views of the Sibillini Mountains.

The next stage, Grande Anello dei Borghi Ascolani stage 2, sets off from Venarotta.

Grande Anello dei Borghi Ascolani Stage 1: technical data

• Start: Ascoli Piceno, Piazza del Popolo.
• Finish: Castello di Venarotta.
• Trail number: GABA1.
• Length: 18.6 km.
• Elevation change: about 600 m of ascent and 310 m of descent.
• Highest point: 463 m, lowest point: 134 m.
• Difficulty: E (CAI scale).
• Walking time: 5 hours and 30 minutes.
• Route type: one-way, not a loop.

Along the route there are several drinking water points and some fountains. As for any day hike, checking the weather before setting off is advisable. The walk is marked with painted and signpost waymarking. The whole loop runs 80% on dirt roads and hill paths that once linked the villages of the Piceno hinterland on foot.

Map of Grande Anello dei Borghi Ascolani Stage 1

The stage is identified by the code GABA1 and runs from Ascoli Piceno to Castello di Venarotta, heading north at first. In sequence it passes the Roman bridge over the Tronto, Mozzano, Tronzano, Casacagnano, Ponte Nativo and finally the Convento di San Francesco. Since the route is not a loop, getting back to Ascoli Piceno needs to be arranged separately.

Points of interest on Grande Anello dei Borghi Ascolani Stage 1

Piazza del Popolo, Ascoli Piceno. It is described as a jewel of the Italian Renaissance. The stage starts here.

Castle village of Mozzano. It is the oldest medieval core of the hamlet and preserves the remains of an old fortress, along the road leading to Tronzano.

Small church of Sant'Emidio di Tronzano. Its interior is considered a true sanctuary of popular devotion between the 15th and 16th centuries.

Ponte Nativo. A natural bridge on the banks of the Fluvione, described as one of the most characteristic expressions of the area's historical identity.

Convento di San Francesco, Castello di Venarotta. The church with its adjoining friary was probably founded by St. Francis himself. It was altered in the 15th and 17th centuries, became state property in 1885 and underwent conservative restoration in the 1980s.

The route also passes other churches and chapels, including San Giacomo della Marca, Santa Maria Intervineas and Santa Maria della Carità. It also passes the Lazzaro Morelli roadside shrine and the Fonte di Sant'Emidio, a public washhouse.